Eliza's Christmas Wish

The other night I took the kids to Costco to pick up a few things. We just happened to be there when Santa was visiting. Now Eliza in her sweet innocence believes in Santa Claus just as sure as she is about the sun rising in the mornings. She was nervous and excited, but insistent that she sit on his lap. Santa put her on his lap and asked the classic question, "What do you want for Christmas". She looked at him with a giddy little smile, put her little hands on his cheeks and pulled him in close. Looking at me to make sure I could not hear (or so she thought), she whispered in his ear, "A sister!". Santa looked at her a little bewildered. I stood there for a few moments as her words grabbed my heart and forced me to choke backa tear. I took out my phone and snapped this picture. Feeling awkward, Santa asked her what else she wanted, and in a not-as-excited tone, she said she wanted a Barbie doll.

With Eliza, she is constantly reminding us in her own little way how much she loved Yuliya, and how she wants her back in her life as much, if not more, than Carrie and I.


Last night, I had a dream so real that it woke me up in the middle of this night. In the dream, Carrie and I were in a room waiting for Yuliya. After a few moments, she walked in and Carrie and I embraced her. I awoke when I could feel the warmth of her hug. Today has been a day of thinking about my soon-to-be little girl. Eliza is my Dolly, Yuliya is my Angel.